Barbara Pavlik Dahle announces run for Burlington First Selectman

Burlington >> Barbara Pavlik Dahle has officially announced that she is running unaffiliated for Burlington’s First Selectman in November’s election.

According to Town Clerk Mary Jane Ugalde, Dahle petitioned to the Secretary of the State, got the required signatures and filed before the June deadline. She has been on the ballot since then running against Democratic incumbent Theodore Shafer.

Until now it has been misunderstood that Shafer was running unopposed. He said the mix up came from the fact that there’s no candidate from the Republican party running against him but there is a petitioning candidate seeking the spot.

Dahle only chose to publicly announce today. She said now that the election is nearing, she wants to get her name out there and let the public know what she stands for.

“I do real issues,” said Dahle, who serves on the Inland Wetland & Watercourses Commission and the Conservation Commission. “I don’t use political jargon. I focus on the meat and potatoes of people’s issues.”

Those include lessening government and regulations and not imposing new taxes.

Dahle said she hopes to, “bring new creative ideas,” particularly about marketing the town center.

“I’ve waited all my life to see development in town,” said the 67-year-old, who is a fifth generation Burlington resident. “We need to find people that want to start entrepreneurial businesses in Burlington. We have the land.”

She said the key is to market downtown Burlington and, “Take it to the Internet. Take it to the websites.”

Dahle also plans to focus on education and abolishing the municipal citation ordinance, which she has been vocal about over the last few years.

She also wants to ensure that all commission meetings are publicized on the town website with complete quotes of people who speak at the meetings. She would like to see all meetings videotaped and broadcast so people can, “watch them on their time,” if they can’t attend.

She’s also interested in starting a town watch website where citizens can see a map of burglaries and other crime in Burlington.

Shafer said that Dahle running on the ballot doesn’t change his approach for reelection.

“Just as before I’m focusing on the things I’ve accomplished during my term, my collaborative style and professional management skills,” said Shafer.

Dahle comes from a family of first selectman, her father was first selectman when Burlington voted to construct a newer schoolhouse from their Old Center School. She said her family instilled the idea of serving your community when she was young.

“You stand tall. You speak the truth even if it doesn’t sit right with the people,” said Dahle.

She is hoping her run for first selectman will inspire other citizens to petition to be on the ballot and get involved with local government.

About the Author

Kate Hartman works as a writer for Connecticut Magazine and formerly covered the towns of Harwinton, Burlington, New Hartford, Barkhamsted and Canton for The Register Citizen. Reach the author at khartman@registercitizen.com
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